[New test photos released] Leica Summicron 35/2 Eight Element copy made in China

[Out to Lunch]

In the not so far future everything will be made in China if we like it or not.

The world is changing fast. China's production costs have been steadily on the increase -the US/China trade dispute is also having an impact, and many production platforms are now moving to other, cheaper destinations...i.e. to Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc...

 

[jbielikowski]

lovely! I admire the involvement.

why not just brand it 8seagulls or smth and offer a "third party replacement part for Leica Summicron" front ring?

 

[Platinum RF]

lovely! I admire the involvement.

why not just brand it 8seagulls or smth and offer a "third party replacement part for Leica Summicron" front ring?

arhh replica is ok, put a fake ring is fraud

 

[Platinum RF]

I agree with you, the made in China followed the route of Made in Japan. initially they are poorly made cheapo, but after many years forced transfer technology or whatever the experience they gained during the manufacturing, the quality has improved, such as 7 artisans lenses.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Kevin ni hao.

I really like those wide-open test images. Count me in for a black paint 8E clone. xie xie!

Ni hao Yossi,

Yes I will! xie xie!

Best,
Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

I agree with you, the made in China followed the route of Made in Japan. initially they are poorly made cheapio, but after many years forced transfer technology or whatever the experience they gained during the manufacturing, the quality has improved, such as 7 artisans lenses.

Thank you for spreading the positive. 🙂

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

A quick question about the flint glass - is it very soft and on the front element?... I understand that many early Leitz lenses where prone to scratching the front lens.

Regards.

Regarding your question, I just got an answer from the maker. The first batch of the production will use the same material, the same coating, and the same glass. If the original one is prone to scratch, then the replica will have the same characteristics.

So, the replica will have all the characteristics that the original has, which include good or bad. Wish this answered your question.

 

[lcpr]

Re: coatings, as I understand it the front and rear surfaces on 60s era Leitz lenses were hard coated and the internal surfaces were soft coated. My own 50mm Summicron rigid has perfect coatings on the front and rear surfaces which surprised me considering all the reports of soft coatings on that particular lens.

 

[anson0408]

Please also count me in for one in black paint too!

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

lovely! I admire the involvement.

why not just brand it 8seagulls or smth and offer a "third party replacement part for Leica Summicron" front ring?

Front ring design by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

This is the design of the first version front ring.

Kevin

 

[Carlos Cruz]

Please do make it 6-bit coded, count me in for black version

 

[Red Rock Bill]

I'm enjoying this thread...I have an original Wetzler 1:2/35 Summicron 8 element purchased at a camera store on consignment up in Santa Fe .They wanted $250.00 but all I had was $235.00. (cash)They called the owner and he ok'd the deal.This was 1997, I often wonder if Chris was working and going to school up there back then. Anyway if you guys can get a copy go for it. The lens is superb. Regards,Bill. ps I didn't know anything about it,I just wanted a 35 for my M2......I lucked out

 

[aizan]

Front ring design by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

This is the design of the first version front ring.

Kevin

That's not the original typeface, but the current one looks great so I don't mind. It'll match the newer bodies perfectly. 🙂

 

[Platinum RF]

Front ring design by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

This is the design of the first version front ring.

Kevin

Please froward to the maker, consider to remove Z1, it just does not fit there well for the whole design of the ring. Maybe he should use Zenith for the Z

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Please froward to the maker, consider to remove Z1, it just does not fit there well for the whole design of the ring. Maybe he should use Zenith for the Z

Thank you for your comment. I will forward your opinion to the maker.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Please do make it 6-bit coded, count me in for black version

Sorry. The first batch will not have 6-bit version. Because the original one did not has 6-bit either. But the later batch will provide this option for you.

 

[KEVIN-XU 愛 forever]

Infinity Focus Performance Comparison: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph

Infinity Focus Performance Comparison: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph

Infinity Focus Performance Comparison: 8-element Replica VS 35mm f2 Summicron-M Asph

Leica M9

Aperture: F/2 wide open


Note: The weather is a little bit hazy... 35mm f2 ASPH is 6-bit coded. Therefore, its vignetting is automatically corrected on the digital M camera.



Infinity Performance: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Infinity Performance: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Infinity Performance: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Infinity Performance: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Infinity Performance: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Infinity Performance: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Infinity Performance: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

Infinity Performance: 8-element Replica VS 35/2 Asph by Kevin-Xu, on Flickr

 

[taffy]

This is great because it provides access to quality of a photographic tool that was out of the budget of many, previously. I'm quite excited. As long as the it performs like the Summicron it is copying and sold at a fraction of the price, this is a win for photography. If successful maybe we can get Summilux and Noctilux-quality alternatives at much lower prices.

I don't mind "Made In China" at all if the quality holds up.

I also understand that there is "pride in ownership" in Leica products but IMO later on this will be more due to history and legacy rather than technical and mechanical quality. Chinese manufacturing capability will catch up.

Bravo to the makers of this lens!

 

[raid]

It will be a difficult choice for some people here; the latest CV Ultron 35/2 versus the copy of the first version Summicron 35/2 (8 elements).

Similar cost. Great lenses.

Which lens is a better buy? Why?

 

[rfaspen]

Raid. I was thinking the same thing.
I think I might lean toward this summicron replica
...at least I do today.